Why Drinking Enough Water Is So Important When Trying To Lose Weight
Most people would be surprised to learn that one of the most important aspects of a weight loss program is water rather than food.
Research suggests that as many as three out of every four people are seriously dehydrated. This is important from a weight loss viewpoint because the body sends a message to the brain when it is thirsty and that signal is very similar to the signal that asks for food, with the result that most people eat when all they require is really a drink.
A person of average weight needs 8 glasses of water each day – if you are overweight drink an extra glass for each 25 pounds of excess weight. That’s a glass containing 8 fluid ounces.
You need water, not any old fluid. Cups of tea or (caffeinated) coffee do not count towards this total need, as both are diuretics and actually rob the body of water. In fact for each cup of tea you drink, you need another cup of water!
What then are the seemingly magical qualities of water?
- Your body has a tendency to store water when it is not getting enough; a sort of defense mechanism. Quite natural when you think about it. However, this results in an increase in your weight and bloating. If you have a water retention problem the answer is to drink more water! That may sound a bit odd, but you will find that if you drink more water your body will stop storing it as the perceived risk has gone and you will lose weight.
- A study conducted by the University of Washington found that almost 100% of participants in the study who previously experienced night-time hunger pains no longer did so if they drank a glass of water before retiring to bed.
- Drinking water suppresses your appetite and helps your kidneys and liver to function correctly; and one of these organ’s prime tasks is to metabolize fat into energy.
- One of the common symptoms of drinking insufficient water is constipation. If you suffer in this way try drinking more water.
- Another symptom is headaches. Again, drinking more water often reduces the occurrence of headaches.
- You can sharply reduce your chances of getting cancer of the bladder, breast cancer, and colon cancer by drinking more water.
- Water aids digestion and muscle stimulation.
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